[J2]

How important is it for a baby to have doubled their birthweight before starting solids? What if even at 6mos or so the baby hasn't doubled their birthweight? I dn't think my DS will be doubling his birthweight until he is 8mos old. He is always gaining and always gaining steadily...he just is a petite guy and basically just gains the minimum average of a half ounce per day.

 

[alegna]

I've NEVER heard of that. My checklist for solids is:

at least 6 months
sits unassisted
no tongue thrust
reaches for and grabs food and puts it in mouth.

Then I'd skip spoon feeding and just let the babe self-feed.

-Angela

 

[kdmama33]

:

DS2 doubled his birthweight by the time he was two months old. DD doubled her birthweight at three months. And neither of them is what you'd call a chunky kid -- they have both been either small or just average, as far as the charts go. DS2 started solids at 7 months and DD wasn't even interested until around 10 months.

 

[NannyL]

I have heard of doubling birth weight as one of the signs for "readiness" for solids.

That being said, if your babe is showing all the signs that angela mentioned, I wouldn't worry about the doubled birth weight. If not, just remember that 6 months is the EARLIEST to start solids, and that they're mainly just for fun. Let your babe explore different tastes and textures and colors.

 

[J2]

NannyL - Yeah, I am not in a hurry to start solids. When DS is ready and at his pace. I think I am going to go more the route of self feeding rather than me pureeing a lot of foods and spoon feeding him.